VALDARCHI: “Como Roma è stata una bella gara: una sfida in cui due squadre forti si sono affrontate”

José Mourinho and Daniele De Rossi will both return to the Olimpico as opposing figures within four days this week, marking an emotional reunion with Roma's fanbase. Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid, will arrive on Wednesday for the first time since his traumatic dismissal on 16 January 2024. De Rossi will follow four days later. The midweek fixture also marks the return of the Champions League to Roma's home ground after seven years. Mourinho had initially considered attending De Rossi's first match in a Roma shirt to greet supporters, but decided against it and has not entered the Foro Italico since his exit. De Rossi, who came in as Mourinho's replacement in 2024 before being dismissed himself months later, previously experienced the discomfort of returning as an opponent a year ago—his first visit to the stadium after 20 years at the club. Both departures, though different in their circumstances, have left distinct marks on the relationship between the players and the Friedkin Group ownership. Mourinho told Corriere dello Sport: "It will be difficult and strange—making that journey on the coach without the affection of the fans, arriving at via dei Gladiatori and the tennis courts." He added: "I have to defend myself emotionally, it will be hard. What do I expect? Only respect—I gave everything for Roma." The Olimpico is expected to be full to capacity on Wednesday to support Gasperini's Roma while also honouring Mourinho's legacy, a connection that stretches back through the sustained atmosphere he helped create during his tenure.

Mile Svilar has suffered a stress fracture to his little finger and will not return before 21 November, when Roma face Parma. Pierluigi Gollini takes over in goal for a goalkeeper who has otherwise served as a squad presence during his first season and a half at the club, having played only once — against Panathinaikos, when he was at fault for a Greek goal. Gollini's spell in the first team comes as coach Gian Piero Gasperini sends a signal to the ownership. The Friedkin Group is selling Everton and intends to shift focus increasingly toward Roma and ice hockey's NHL. Gasperini is urging them to honour that commitment with direct involvement. He believes the squad can achieve something significant this season and is also preparing for the club's centenary year. Gasperini made his case explicit in recent remarks. "A society is important when the ownership is involved," he said. He then revealed: "With the Friedkin we haven't spoken in a month." The message is clear: the manager wants greater presence from ownership as Roma push for success.

Claudio Ranieri once courted Cesc Fabregas for Roma after a match against Como at the Olimpico, but when the Spaniard declined, his attention turned to Gian Piero Gasperini. The choice between them marked a pivotal moment: Ranieri's tenure at Roma ultimately ended, but Gasperini now dominates the scene at Trigoria. The two managers have since faced each other once, with the result split and some controversy attached to the latest encounter. The comparison between them, separated by age and philosophy, is roughly balanced—both Como and Roma have invested heavily in their coaches in a model closer to English football's approach. Fabregas has overseen Como's remarkable rise from the third tier to the Champions League in a short span, a feat comparable only to magic. The two coaches maintain mutual respect despite their different approaches to the game. Ranieri, for his part, found his place in the Italian Football Federation alongside Mancini and Malagò. Disagreement has emerged between Fabregas and the Italian Football Federation over striker Moise Kean's availability for today's match. Fabregas stated: "He took a strong blow during Italy-Belgium; communication between the Federation and clubs should improve, given that he then played for ninety minutes with France while injured." The federation's physician Angelo De Carli replied: "We keep clubs constantly updated."